Residents of Sylvan Lake and Sylvan Lake Seniors Lodge celebrated a milestone last Friday. The lodge had a surfeit of guests in attendance to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Lorna Thomas, an activity aid with the lodge, said the event spanned the afternoon featuring visits from the Town, and a large celebratory cake. Guests were given a tour of the facility’s old an new wings, and the managers, past and present, were celebrated.
“Everyone very much enjoyed the event - people living here enjoyed the day, and even some people from the Bethany side - former residents - came and visits,” said Thomas. “There was a lot of excitement about the facility. A lot of residents were excited about this anniversary.”
Mayor Sean McIntyre visited the anniversary along with Coun. Graham Parsons and CAO Betty Osmond. In a speech to guests, McIntyre spoke about legacies, and how after 50 years as an institution in Sylvan Lake, the lodge is still pursuing its same original goals as in the beginning - compassionate care and service to seniors in the community.
McIntyre was emphatic in an interview with the Sylvan Lake News, in saying it was a day to celebrate the milestone for the lodge.
“It really was a fantastic day. There was a sense of accomplishment. We had some honoured guests, such as past managers of lodge, and past people who’ve served in some capacity there, like Daisy Halverson, Lyla Bigford and Pearl Dallaire.” said McIntyre. “It was very cool to have so many of the people who have worked at the lodge before in the same room, celebrating the legacy of the lodge.”
As the afternoon carried on, residents and guests enjoyed tea and music, basking in the sunny, cheerful afternoon atmosphere at the lodge.
Thomas said she felt “privileged to be part of this, and to be in my position. It’s great to see how much fun everyone had at the event. This is the perfect way to let Sylvan Lake knew the lodge exists, and it has been a while.”
McIntyre also said the celebration comes at fortunate time, given the lodge, Bethany and the Senior’s Association at the NexSource Centre are all now “located within a stone’s throw of one another.”
“Seniors are more integrated in the community than ever before,” said McIntyre. “The physical integration of all services together in the same place - all within a block of one another - was done very intentionally. We want to integrate seniors into the community, and into every aspect of the community.”